Michigan Football: Weekly Recruiting Blitz

• Beaver's de-commitment from Michigan couldn't have come at a worse time for the Wolverines (okay, signing day would have been worse) currently in December's dead period for recruiting. Most of the "top" dual-threat QB's are committed to other schools. Which doesn't mean Rich Rod and staff can't break out some "snake oil" but it still will be an uphill climb, since the Wolverines thought they were all set at QB for this class. The top targets include: Tajh Boyd, a five-star QB who has been committed to two schools so far this year. He was committed to WVU for a while and then decided to re-open his recruitment, he recently committed to Tennessee until Lane Kiffin came in and told him he wasn't a fit for his offense. So now he is looking again and has taken a trip to Columbus and plans on visiting Oregon. It's highly doubtful that Michigan can get in this sweepstakes since they haven't been recruiting him (until now). The other highly regarded QB in this class is Florida's Eugene Smith, who is currently committed to WVU (to replace Boyd). Michigan has been recruiting Eugene even when Kevin Newsome, The Beaver, and Tate Focier were in and out of the fold. Michigan will have to turn up the heat on this one and see if they can get an official visit before signing day. If Michigan can't get interest from either Tajh or Eugene, Michigan will have to look at other three-star prospects at QB. A second QB in this class is a must.
• One question is: Did this come as a surprise to the Michigan coaches? Maybe, but maybe not. Coach Rod said something funny last week: "I really think recruiting's going very well," he said. "We're going to have quite a group come in at midterm (in January). Anywhere between six-eight, and that's pretty exciting...We'll sign a full class of 25, and we've got about 20 commitments. You've still got to recruit those guys. The response has been really good, and we've got a great place to sell." At this point, Michigan had 21 commitments. Beaver was also expected to enroll early.
• Another question is: What if Michigan can't get another QB in this class? Michigan is expected to give at least two QB's preferred walk-on status. One of those QB's is rumored to be Holland, Mich.'s AJ Westendorp, who ran a spread attack in high school and led his team to the Division 4 State Title this past season. (I know you Michigan fans are thinking: "All we need is another Sheridan!" The folks who have seen him play say he is a real QB with a strong arm and a big upgrade from Nick. Not a great athlete but is a very fierce competitor)
• Michigan's big target for the rest of the class still remains five-star DT "Big" Will Campbell. Will has visited both Florida and Miami the past two weekends. He is keeping pretty tight-lipped about those visits but the recruiting experts didn't think he saw anything that blew him away. Will now has completed his visits and will announce on Jan. 3 at the Army All-American game. He still plans to enroll at the college of his choice in early January.
• Ohio defensive back Michael Edwards visited Cincinnati this past week and plans on visiting Michigan and Tennessee before making a decision. Mike had a very nice senior year with 50 tackles and six picks. Mike's high school coach is Ted Ginn Sr., so expect him to wait and see if he gets an OSU offer in the next month.
• Rumor Mill: Has Michigan former DC Scott Shafer interviewing with Syracuse new head coach Doug Marrone for his open DC role.
• Michigan is still in the running for an official visit by five-star DB Dre Kirkpatrick.